Sprinkler



NOV. 25, 1952 JEPSON SPRINKLER Filed April 20. 1949 INVENTOR. fyf c?! @5m BY caw y Patented Nov. 25, i952 UNl'i'ED STATS OFFICE SPRINKLER nois Application April 20, 19429, Serial No. 88,510

1A Claim. l

This invention relates to sprinklers adapted for watering lawns, gardens, golf courses and the like, and more particularly to rotary reaction sprinklers of the type disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent 2,335,281 Jepson assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Rotary reaction type sprinklers have been extensively employed for sprinkling purposes such as for sprinkling lawns and the like, and such sprinklers prior to the above mentioned Jepson patent have in the main comprised a plurality of discharge nozzles or jet delivery devices arranged in spaced relation on a rotary head, usually in substantially balanced relation at the opposite sides of the aXis about which the nozzles revolve. In the majority of these sprinklers no adjustment of the area covered by the sprinkler was possible and any control in this direction was had solely by controlling the amount of water sup-plied to the sprinkler which was unsatisfactory even at best. In the above mentioned Jepson patent there is disclosed and `claimed a sprinkler in which by the adjustment of a single dial the area covered by the sprinkler is readily controllable in a simple and expeditious manner. This type of sprinkler has come into. great favor in recent years and the present invention is in some respects closely allied thereto.

In the above mentioned Jepson patent the area over which water is distributed by the sprinkler is'c-ontrolled by a single dial member w-hi-ch rotates the individual nozzles about their longitudinal axes. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple, easy to manufacture and fool-proof sprinkler wherein the area of distribution of the sprinkler may be varied by means of a single d-ial member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel sprinkler arrangement whereby the area sprinkled upon operation of the sprinkler may be adjusted by novel lcontrol means;

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler of relatively few parts which is easy to manufacture and which Will give years of foolproof and satisfactory service.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a sprinkler of the rotary re-action type in which the area of distribution is controlled by varying the elevation of the sprinkler nozzles.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with part-icularity in the claim annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, .in which:

Fig. 1 is Ia vertical section through a lawn sprinkler embodying the present invention showing different positions of the nozzles thereof;

Eig. 2 is a top plan View of the lawn sprinkler shown in Fig. l, assuming Fig. l shows the ccmplete construction;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the adjustable means at a different setting from that shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 4is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been illustrated in the drawing specifically as embodied in a sprinkler especially ydesigned for sprinkling lawns, it should be understood that the present invention is capable of application to other sprinkler arrangements. As illustrated the sprinkler embodiment is capable of distributing water in a uniform manner over a circular area having a diameter of the order of fifty feet for the maximum setting thereof and an area having a diameter of the order of ve feet for the minimum setting thereof. It willbeA understood that these areas Iof distribution are-by way of example only, although 4an area having a diameter of fifty feet as the maximum area is practical since the majority of lawnsl are no wider than fifty feet. Furthermore if the sprinkler were designed to cover circular areas much greater than fifty feet in diameter the amount of water supplied thereto through the conventional g-arden hose would be insuioient and also the uniformity of distribution would likely be impaired. Similarly it is seldom desirable to cover areas smaller than about five feet in diameter.

Referring now to the drawing there iis illustrated a sprinkler generally Idesignated at I0 which comprises a suitable base il adapted to rest upon the ground and of sumcient area so as to give firm support to the remainder of the sprinkler lll.

The .base Ii is preferably formed from a sheet metal stamping or the like and comprises a raised central portion forming a fiat surface lia having a suitable opening therein for receiving a fastening means for supporting a hollow upright i2 thereon. As illustrated the upright I2 may comprise a suitable casting equipped with a conventional hose coupling means I3 by means of which water under pressure may be supplied to the interior chamber I4 defined within the hollow support or upright I2. A suitable plug I5 having an enlarged head is threadedly engaged with an opening at the lower end of the upright I2 so as to clamp the base II to the upright I2. It will be apparent that this plug I5 in addition to serving as an assembly means for the base II and the upright I2, also provides a clean out plug whereby any sediment or the like which may accumulate in the hollow chamber I4 defined within the upright I2 may be removed.

For the purpose of rotatably supporting a suitable nozzle carrying head I6 from the upper end of the upright or support I2, this upper end of the support I2 is provided with a bore I2a for receiving therein a bearing sleeve or bearing I1, preferably formed of bronze or the like which bearing sleeve may be press fitted into the bore I2a. Rotatable about the vertical axis of the bearing I1 is a hollow bearing stud I8 journaled in the bearing bushing I1, which stud has an enlarged lower end adapted under the pressure of water supplied to the chamber I4 to seat against a combined packing and thrust washer 2D.

In accordance with the present invention the nozzle head IE comprises a plurality of elements assembled to form a rotatable head for supporting a pair of nozzle members 22 and 23 extending laterally from the main body portion of the head I6. These nozzle members 22 and 23 are mounted on the head l 6 in diametrically opposed relationship and are adapted to utilize the reaction forces of the water jet deliveries to cause rotation of the head I 6 about the axis of the stud I8. As illustrated th'e nozzle members 22 and 23 are in effect tubular water conduits extending from the head I6 and adapted to be disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of the upright I2 about which the head I6 rotates. As is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, these nozzles 22 and 23 are disposed at a variable angle with the upright I2 which may be varied from an acute angle to an obtuse angle depending upon the area over which it is desired to obtain distribution of water. The outer end of each of the nozzles 22 and 23 is closed by a screw cap 24 which is removable for cleaning purposes. Each of the nozzles 22 and 23 is also provided with a discharge orifice 25. The discharge orifices 25 are effectively directed in the same generally upward direction, although as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing each orifice is slightly displaced, one to the right and one to the left of a horizontal axis through the nozzles, to provide the desired reaction torque. As illustrated the orice 25 in the nozzle 22 is above the longitudinal axis through the nozzle as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawing while the orifice 25 in the nozzle 23 is below this longitudinal axis thereby providing a reaction torque when jets of water are emitted from the nozzles 25 causing rotation of the head I6 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. It will be understood that instead of a single orifice 25 in each of the nozzles 22 and 23 that a plurality of distributed orifices such as are disclosed in the above mentioned Jepson patent might be employed if desired.

In order that water under pressure supplied to the chamber I4 and transmitted through the hollow bearing stud I8 may reach the nozzles 22 and 23 the nozzle head I6 includes a cylindrical chamber member defined by an inverted cupshaped member 28 which may be formed of a sheet metal stamping or the like and which includes a pair of diametrically opposed openings 29 each provided with a flange having a configuration adapted to intert with a sphere and referred to hereinafter as a spherical configuration. These flanges surrounding the openings 29 have this spherical configuration so as to rcceive in sealing engagement therewith spherical members 22a and 23a respectively integrally formed adjacent the inner ends of the nozzles 22 and 23 remote from the orifices 25. The lower portion of the inverted cup-shaped member 23 is provided with an enlarged open end at the bottom adapted to be closed by a threaded closure member' 30, which engages with cooperating threads defined within the inverted cup-shaped member 28 clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. A suitable packing washer 3| may be disposed `between the closure member 30 and a shoulder 28a, deiined on said member 28 by virtue of the enlarged open end, to prevent leakage of water supplied to the chamber defined by the cup-shaped member 28. The inner ends of" the nozzles 22 and 23 are provided with suitable openings through which water entering these nozzles may flow.

To maintain the spherical members 22a and 23a in sealing engagement with the spherical flanges surrounding the openings 29, there is provided a resilient expansible member 35 engageable in grooves 36 defined in the adjacent surfaces of the spherical members 22a and 23a. This resilient member 35 is illustrated as a U-shaped member which tends to straighten out under the inherent resiliency thereof and consequently biases the members 22a and 23a apart and consequently into sealing engagement with the anges surrounding the openings 29.

In order to support the head I6 relative to the upright I2 for rotation therewith the closure member 30 is provided with a threaded opening 30a for receiving the upper threaded end I8a of the hollow bearing stud I8. Normally the head I6 and specifically the closure member 30 rests on the protruding end of the bushing or bearing sleeve I1, but when water under pressure is supplied to the sprinkler IO this pressure lifts the stud I8 and the nozzle head I6 thereby reducing friction to a minimum when rotation of the sprinkler occurs.

From the above description it will be apparent that the nozzles 22 and 23 may be moved throughout a substantial arc by virtue of the effective universal joints provided between the spherical members 22a and 23a and the spherical iianges surrounding the openings 29. It is however desirable to confine the varied positions of the nozzles 22 and 23 to a vertical plane between the two extreme positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 0f the drawing. To this end there is provided a vertically movable member 30 which is specifically illustrated as an inverted cup-shaped member concentrically disposed with respect to the member 28. The lower portion of the member 39 is adapted slidingly to engage with the outer surface of the enlarged open end of the member 23 thleffldedly engaged with the closure member 30, While the upper portion of the member 39 is adapted slidingly to engage with the outer surface of the upper portion of the member 28. The

aregasa member;v 331s. furthermoreadapted: for. limited verticahmovement with respect' tothe .member 8.

To; control;` the positions. cf the nozzles .'22 tand 23jthexmember 39 is provided with a pair of slightly elongated openings 43 best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing through which the nozzles 22 and 23 protrude. Vertical movement of the member 39 will cause the nozzles22 andv 23 t0 pivot about thespherical. supportsina vertical plane and the reason for the slightly elongated openings. 43 is to accommodate the angular position of the nozzlest. and. 231`when in the dotted linepcsitions of Fig. 1 of thezdrawing.

In order` that .control of. the .elevation-.ot the nozzles'i 22- and. 23. may be-v selectively: hadz by merely adjusting a single dialmember preferably disposed coaxially with and at the top of the nozzle head I6, the member 39 has rotatably related to the upper end thereof a threaded socket l which is adapted to threadedly engage a stud A2 preferably riveted as indicated at 42a to the upper end of the inverted cup-shaped member 23. The socket member 4l is preferably molded within a suitable dial member 43 which is illustrated as having a sort of bullet-like or streamlined appearance, and which dial member 43 comprises a manually graspable member which may selectively be rotated manually to adjust the area of the distribution of the sprinkler lil. The socket member il may be mounted for rotation with respect to the member 39 simply by having the lower end extend through an opening in the top of the member 39 which lower end is peened over as indicated at da. Any other suitable mounting arrangement which permits relative rotation between the member 33 and the socket member 4| may be employed. This is necessary since the member 3S is only vertically movable and cannot rotate relative to the member 28. To prevent any relative rotation between the members 28 and 39 the member 28 may be provided with a protuberance 28h slidable in a vertical slot 45 defined in the member 39. Preferably a suitable compression spring 46 concentrically disposed with respect to the stud 42 is nested in the space between the members 28 and 39 thereby tending to maintain the relative rotative positions of the socket 4I and stud 42 wherever they are selectively positioned.

To improve the appearance, the exposed portion of the member 39 preferably has the same diameter as the adjacent surface of the dial member 43 thereby providing a smooth, somewhat streamlined appearance. Also if desired a molded collar 4l conforming to the diameter of the vertically movable member 39 may be applied to the upper end of the upright I2 so as to carry out the streamlined feature in a manner which is readily apparent from Fig. l of the drawing.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Merely by rotating the dial member 43, vertical movement of the member 39 is occasioned and a thread of rather large pitch for the members 4| and i2 may be employed so that limited rotation of the dial member 43 will cause a substantial change in elevation of the nozzle members 22 and 23. Preferably a suitable indicia is provided on the member [i3 cooperable with a pointer or the like on the member 39 so as to indicate the sprinkler setting. This indicia may comprise merely the words larga mediumf or small having reference vto the three settings indicated in Fig. l with respect to the area sprinkled.

However, the'indicia mighttbeedirectly :calibrated in:V a1 scale Lrepresentative of.' the areas. sprinkled such as.; the diameter 'off thewcircularl area., or mightzbjezain. some other. form.` representativev of the different.l sprinkler settings :capable of fselectivecchoice byxtheoperator.

It willbefapparentthatwhen the nozzlesh are selectively.y setin'y the uppermost .positions shown inFig.Y l .oftth'e drawing that :alv minimum;v circular areazwhichztmight for. examplehave adiameter ofztheA ordero; ve; feet: is.` sprinkled: InLthis case-fthe; jets' ofwater from. the orifices. 25ractuallyycross. each'. other; When thernozzles are in they solid:linezpositionzshown in iFig. l wherein their longitudinal .axes areA at s right angles Vwith thezvertical axisiof the upright] 2 Tan intermediate areaf-is.sprinkled, since' the Water Aj ets are then almost vertical. As the nozzles are moved t0- ward the lowermost position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing the circular area over which water is distributed by the sprinkler l0 is increased to a maximum and preferably this area of distribution in the lowermost dotted line positions of the nozzles 22 and 23 is one having a diameter of the order of fifty feet.

T-o eliminate any possibility of leakage between the spherical members 22a and 23a and the associated spherical flanges surrounding the openings 29 it may be desirable to employ the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 4 of the drawing wherein the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in the preceding figures. In the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 4 the nozzles 22 and 23 and the associated spherical portions 22a and 23a are similar to those shown in Fig. 1, except that the inner ends of the nozzles are provided with ilanged extensions 22b and 23h which are adapted to be inserted in sealed relationship with suitable nipples 48a integrally formed with an inverted ilexible cupshaped member 48 which may be formed of rubber or similar material. The inverted cupshaped member 28 then merely functions as a support for the nozzles 22 and 23 and the flexible rubberlike member 48 provides the desired sealed water chamber. The lower open end of the member 48 may be provided with an integral flange 68h adapted to be clamped between the closure member 30 and the shoulder 28a on the member 28 thereby insuring a uid tight seal. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 the resilient member 35 may be dispensed with since the rubber like member 48 will perform its function. Otherwise the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 4 is identical in substantially every respect with the preceding embodiment.

From the above discussion it will be understood that there has been provided a sprinkler construction in which the area covered thereby may readily be adjusted by a single dial. The elements are furthermore in the main simple sheet metal stampings which are inexpensive to manufacture and which can be assembled in a rapid and expeditious manner.

While there have been shown and described particular emobdiments of the present invention, it is not desired that the invention be limited to the constructions shown and described for it will of course be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modilications may be made without departing from the invention and it is therefore aimed in the appended claim to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A sprinkler comprising a hollow upright support, means for supplying water under pressure to the interior of said support, a head structure mounted on said support for rotation about a vertical axisI means defining a chamber in said head structure for receiving water under pressure from said hollow support, a plurality of tubular nozzles each havin?,r a spherical enlarge: ment adjacent one end thereof, spherical flanges on said head structure for receiving said spherical enlargements to permit pivotal movement of said nozzles with the longitudinal axis of each nozzle disposed at an angle to said vertical axis, means for conning pivotal movement of said nozzles to a vertical plane, and unitary means for selectively and simultaneously adjusting said angle of said plurality of nozzles to vary the area over which water is distributed by said sprinkler.

IVAR J EPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

